Exclusion Zone

P.I. Alex Harvey #1

by J.M. Hewitt

On 26th April 1986, reactor four exploded at the factory in Pripyat, Chernobyl.

At the same time teenager Afia Bello vanished from her home without a trace.

The damage from the nuclear fallout is examined over the following weeks, months and years by Afia’s younger sister Sissy, as she unwittingly uncovers clues relating to her sister’s disappearance, and the secret life that Afia kept hidden from her family.

In the summer of 2015 Private Detective Alex Harvey is hired to investigate the disappearances that have been occurring within the exclusion zone.

He can think of only one person to bring along with him to help; Ukrainian national Elian Gould.

Elian - who was adopted at birth - has her own reasons for accepting the job; namely to search for her own family history which has always been a mystery to her.

But the remaining citizens of Chernobyl are hiding their own secrets and with a darker force at work, the missing person’s case suddenly turns into something much more serious…

Exclusion Zone is a gripping thriller that will keep readers hooked to the last page.

'A thrilling story, brilliantly told.' - Tom Kasey, best-selling author of Cold Kill.

J.M Hewitt is a crime writer living in Suffolk. The author won the BritCrime Pitch Competition 2015 and was selected as a finalist in the Twisted 50 Short Story Horror Collection 2016. She is a member of the Crime Writers Association, the East Anglian Writers and is a regular at The Felixstowe Book Festival.

Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher. For more information on our titles please sign up to our newsletter at www.endeavourpress.com. Each week you will receive updates on free and discounted ebooks. Follow us on Twitter: @EndeavourPress and on Facebook via http://on.fb.me/1HweQV7. We are always interested in hearing from our readers. Endeavour Press believes that the future is now.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Mystery Thriller

234 pages, Paperback

First published February 14, 2016

About the author

Silver Prize in the author v author competition 2008 (supported by the National Literary Trust)

Shortlisted for the Inspire and Mentor Campaign – selected by Jojo Moyes 2012

Two books independently published in 2010 and 2013

Longlisted for the Retreat West First Chapter Competition 2015

Winner of the BritCrime Pitch Competition 2015

Winner in the Twisted 50 Short Story Competition 2016. Short story 'Fingers' to be published in the Twisted 50 Anthology.

Appearing at the Felixstowe Book Festival in 2015 and 2016 and the East Anglia Author Festival 2016.

Member of the CWA, ITW and East Anglian Authors.

Exclusion Zone and The Hunger Within published 2016 / 2017 by Endeavour Media.

The Night Caller published by Bookouture 2019.

www.jmhewitt.com Twitter: @jmhewitt FB: www.facebook.com/j.mhewittauthor

Reviews

[Kat (Katlovesbooks) Dietrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exclusion Zone by J.M. Hewitt is the first in the PI Alex Harvey series.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)

In 1986, Reactor Four exploded in Chernobyl.  The same day, 19-year old Afia Bello goes missing.  Although the small town is in turmoil, Afia's 14-year old sister Sissy searches for her. Eventually, a young soldier named Simon helps her look, as does another resident named Klim, who seems to have been in love with Afia.  She is not found.

In 1996, after losing her husband to the nuclear explosion, and having her eldest daughter disappear, Sissy's mom has nothing left.  When Sissy is given a plane ticket and some money to travel to England to get compensation from the Russian and Ukrainian governments in the form of money and health checks, she is a little skeptical.  But she goes anyway. She is in for a big surprise.

In 2015, PI Alex Harvey is hired by an unknown client to investigate a number of suspicious deaths in Chernobyl.  The money is good.  The client suggests that he hire Elian Gould, a girl that works for his aunt, to be his translator.  Elian has her own reasons for accepting this job.

In Chernobyl, Alex and Elian find themselves in unfamiliar territory, and among people whose secrets rival even Elian's.

 

My Opinions:  

This was a really fast and entertaining read.  I wasn't sure I liked Alex at the beginning, but he quickly showed he wasn't quite the ogre I had thought.  As well, Elian seemed like a typical 19-year old scatter-brained young girl, until she showed her tough side.  The characters were well-developed, and you could easily relate to their emotions.

The story is told from multiple perspectives as well as different time-slots, but it was handled well, and nothing got missed or confused.

The plot was great, with plenty of twists, most of which I had not seen coming, so that was good!  The setting for this book was instrumental to its success.

I was pleasantly surprised by this novel, as it's been on my bookshelf for a few years, and I was hesitant...but since I now have the second book in this series in my hand, I thought it was time I moved this to the top of my pile.  I am glad I did.


For a more complete review of this book and others (including author information and quotations), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/

[Gordon Mcghie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not going to mess around on this one – it is a 5* read and I loved it.

Chernobyl as a setting is fabulous for a crime thriller – the place where nobody wants to go. A place where time stands still. And a place where evil can seemingly thrive without consequence. The scenes in the book that take place in Chernobyl are extremely dark, darker than I had expected (but this is a good thing). A killer is hunting victims and revelling in their capture. His crimes are escaping the attention of the authorities and he keeps his base of operations mobile to reduce the chance of capture. We know this as throughout Exclusion Zone the narrative will swing away from our hero, detective Alex Harvey, to focus on the murderer – we follow the escalation in his crimes.

I mentioned Alex Harvey – he is the star of the show (and hopefully many more shows to follow) he has been engaged to investigate the disappearances that have been taking place in the Exclusion Zone. To assist with his investigations he recruits the services of Elian Gould, a secretive young woman who will prove to be both a help and a hindrance to Harvey as his investigations take him to the edge of the exclusion zone and the mysteries that lie within.

The narrative swings between past and present with a story spanning around 3o years. It is handled brilliantly and the story flows really well – time leaping in a novel can sometimes jar or feel clumsy, not so in Exclusion Zone. The characters we meet are really well defined and you will cheer, cry and despair at how they fare (did I mention the dark edge?)

As I stated at the start of this review I loved Exclusion Zone. If you are looking for an engrossing story set in a distinctive (and fabulously described) environment with a decidedly nasty bad guy then this is a book you need to read.

[Natalie M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not quite sure why this book hasn’t reached a greater audience because this debut is very good.

A complex thriller that switches between the 1986 Chernobyl disaster and 2015, where the remaining residents keep disappearing. I did find the time period switches a little too much in places, but nothing too confusing.

The characters are fraught with faults which made them very interesting but I found there could’ve been a few less POVs. A satisfying resolution to a gruesome set of crimes.

[Mark Tilbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent debut novel!
The book is divided up into chapters that are specifically for certain characters in different times. The movement back and forth is well done and never confusing. The main characters, Alex and Elian, are working together to investigate the mysterious disappearances of residents in Pripyat, where the the Chernobyl nuclear disaster occurred.

All the characters (even the ones who have a smaller role to play) are well developed. Alex and Elian's working relationship comes across well and the author has done a great job of mixing in their confused feelings for each other without detracting from the details of the investigation. There is just enough description of the disaster and it's aftermath without going over the top. Sometimes description can be overdone, but the way this book is written leaves enough room for your imagination to fill in the blanks - which I prefer.

This is a really interesting, well constructed story. It's clear what is happening when and I liked the range of characters. It didn't take me very long to read this book as I kept wanting to know what was going to happen and be uncovered next. A great thriller and one of my top reads of the year. Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book (from TBC) in exchange for a honest review.

[Tracy Fenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOWSERS, firstly this book has been sitting on my kindle for over 2 years and I really don't know why I hadn't read it before.  I kept pushing it down my list until I practically forgot about it and then when I was compiling my TBC Book Challenge it was recommended to me for the Recommended by a Random TBC Member.

Exclusion Zone is an extraordinary debut crime thriller with a fascinating plot.  Alternating between 1986, the horrific explosion of Reactor No 4 in Chernobyl and a Private Investigator Alex Harvey in London 2015, this clever story brings to life some fascinating and plausible characters and a really twisted, sick serial killer.  I devoured this book in one afternoon and can't wait to read the next book featuring Alex Harvey.

[Rebecca Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back in July, I did a BritCrime panel with Jeanette and it was then that I heard the concept for Exclusion Zone. It was on my wishlist immediately. I mean, a crime novel set in the exclusion zone of Chernobyl? Really? How fantastic! Then later that month I was lucky enough to meet Jeanette at the Harrogate crime writing festival - and she's really really lovely (which I already knew from the BritCrime panel anyway, but Harrogate confirmed that) and she gave me a copy of the book! It just happened to, somehow move its way to the top of my TBR pile. Well, with a concept like that, it was going to, wasn't it?

Exclusion zone moves between two time zones. The period when the reactor exploded and the following years, and the current day. It also has a couple of different points of view. It's a very clear and understandable book though and these all merge together as you'd expect timelines to merge at some point in a story.

Elian is a strong female lead in this and I really took to her. She was nervous and anxious about a lot of things but she knew how to stand her ground and fight for what she wanted and believed in.

The same can be said for Sissy's timeline back in Chernobyl. A time of great upheaval and upset. A child at the time, but showing courage and believable actions when things around her are changing at such a rapid pace in a time none of us can really comprehend. I was fascinated by how at first the explosion was played down and then the evacuation was put in place, and even then, people chose to stay in their homes. Probably not understanding the seriousness of what had occurred. There's a very weird part in Exclusion zone about a dog and I have yet to Google it to see if it's true!

A fabulous read.

[Bridget McKeown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as a reader review for an honest review, (thank you TBC and JM Hewitt. )
I don't really like the 5 stars as I think it should be an even number as its to easy to go for the middle.
If it was out of 6 this would have 4 stars from me. A strong story with good characters. I enjoyed the way it moved around in time to bring the present time.
I did struggle a bit with it but after analysing why it's because I don't have big blocks of time to read, just snatched 10/15 minutes here and there. I feel I would have gotten into it quicker and easier if I'd been able to read it in longer blocks of time.
Don't let this put you off though as its definitely worth reading.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I liked this book. An intriguing thriller set in London and Chernobyl. A great central character Elian who trusts no-one, and has a secret. We, at the same time as her, uncover her past with a potentially untrustworthy private investigator Alex. Her past lies in Chernobyl where there is a killer on the loose in the strange community of hangers on that did not leave after the nuclear explosion.

[Tripfiction]

Thriller set in PRIPYAT and CHERNOBYL

This review first appeared on our blog, where the author talks about location: http://www.tripfiction.com/thriller-s...

There are very few novels that we have found set around Pripyat and the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant – so I was keen to read this book. Pripyat was the town established in 1970 to service the Nuclear Plant.

The book begins with the explosion of Reactor No. 4 on 26 April 1986 at Chernobyl, then in Russia. It was 40 hours later when the residents were asked to leave, but many had already suffered varying degrees of radiation poisoning by this point.

The story early on homes in on the hours after the explosion, and specifically on one family. Afia and Sissy Bello are sisters, who are caught up in the dreadful aftermath. Their Dad, working at the plant seemingly succumbs to the explosion and doesn’t come home; but Afia also disappears and it is in part the backstory to her disappearance that forms the backbone of the novel.

Move forward to 2015 and PI Alex Harvey in London is tasked with investigating multiple murders in the area around Pripyat, now in Ukraine, a very bloody and sadistic murderer is at work. He asks Elian Gould to accompany him (her family originally hails from the area), she can act as interpreter and she is on some level keen to go as she wants to explore the mystery of her family history.

The locations of London, bustling metropolis that it is, and Pripyat, desolate and dankly festering, are well evoked in the competent hands of this author. The writing is clear and smartly put together.

What didn’t really work for me so well was the structure. Most chapters are short, 2 or 3 pages long, sometimes 7, and this left me feeling that I was channel hopping through the story (at the beginning there is an index numerically listing each chapter and the start page, which isn’t really useful). Each chapter focuses on a different character, and there is time slip between 1986 and 2015, back and forth. This keeps up the pathos but as many of the chapters end on a bit of a knife edge, it can also feel frustrating, as the move between scenarios can feel too abrupt.

I also wanted to find out more about the psychological drivers of some of the characters, which I didn’t feel were really explored. What experiences in the past really spurred the characters to act in the ways they did….?

It will be interesting to see what J M Hewitt does next and where she chooses to set her next book.

[Lisa Baillie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book started off well and I was enjoying it. But sadly it slowed down and became very mundane. I didn’t want to give up as I wanted to know how it ended. Very poor I’d have been better giving up

[Kagsy Wagsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really exciting story. A good plot follows events on two timelines, 1986 when the nuclear reactor explodes in Chernobyl and 2015, when private detective Alex Harvey enlists a secretive and nervous research journalist, Elian Gould, employed by the magazine which operates as a front for his detective agency. Harvey and Gould travel back to Pripyat where what remains of the community are disappearing one by one.

A corrupt police chief is part of the cover up of murders, unofficial burials and a trade in live babies and heroin.

Everything takes a serious and dangerous turn when Elian is snatched and held captive by a sick, violent, rapist. What will her fate be?

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through THE Book Club on Facebook #TBConFB in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the book, the story gripped me but I did find a few continuity errors. However they did not detract from a good storyline. I would be interested to see if the story will be continued in another book.

[Louise Beech · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of my favourite books have utterly memorable settings, where the place becomes one of the characters, and Exclusion Zone is no exception. I've always been a little intrigued by what happened at Chernobyl and it was pure genius to have such a dark story set here, where the trees grow wild and the animals are terrifying. Detective Alex Harvey and Elian Gould are realistic and fascinating people who I rooted for and couldn't get enough of. The past - 1986 and the explosion - blended perfectly with the present, coming together in a brilliant climax. I literally devoured the second half of this book in hours. Cannot recommend enough.

[Tara Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book I've had on my kindle for a while, and now that I've read it I wish I hadn't waited so long.

It is so cleverly written - between the explosion in 1986 and present day, between the different characters and their stories, and even between first and third person. The author executed it brilliantly.

It's a dark and twisty story. I devoured it, wanting to know how things would come together and unravel the secrets in Chernobyl with the characters. Can not wait to read more from this author.

[Donna Maria McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow! what an incredible read! Jeanette shows true expertise and the careful attention to detail that such a project would need. A very unusual and gripping book, I was hooked, convinced and trusted her from the first page to never disappoint.
I would highly recommend this book and really look forward to more from this author!

[Ruth Dugdall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeanette Hewitt is a talent to be reckoned with. I found Exclusion Zone so absorbing that I even googled trips to Chrnobyl, although the book is hardly a pretty travel guide! In fact, the places when it works best are the darkest, as this author has a real knack of getting into the psyche of VERY disturbed individuals. I loved it, and look forward to the next book by this author.

[David Gilchrist · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good debut novel. a good crime story set in London and Chernobyl at the time of the nuclear disaster. Parallel story lines blending very well, A well written story if a little unusual. I will read more from this author.

[Etta Henderhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply amazing!

I could not putt this book down. However I was disappointed at the end only because I wanted more. I hope there is a sequel to this book. I was looking for the second par in the life when it abruptly ended.

[Amy Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

A gripping read. I couldn't put it down, connected with the characters and was drawn in to the whole story.

[Wide Eyes, Big Ears! · Rating 3 out of 5]

British PI Alex Harvey is approached to solve the systematic disappearances of people living within the Chernobyl exclusion zone. The author employed a few devices: (1) very short chapters with small cliffhangers at the end of each, Dan Brown style; (2) often chapters weren’t sequential in time, so the cliffhanger wasn’t addressed or resolved in the next chapter; (3) the narration was in first-person present tense. While the writing was solid, I found I had to push myself to keep going rather than being drawn, maybe because the mystery of the disappearances was clearly laid out early on. Despite the first person narration, I wasn’t that drawn to the characters, especially Alex - backstories focussed on other characters, so he was hard to get to know.

[Antigone Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nuclear

A beautiful black woman chooses a dark path and disappears during the Chernobyl disaster. Her sister refuses to give up on her but accepts a comfortable life in England caring for a beautiful baby. The baby grows up to be a lovely young woman. Pressed into going to Chernobyl with a private investigator she uncovers some of the secrets of her past. But evil lurks and she is soon in jeopardy.

This novel is taut and exciting. It alternates between characters, time and place. It is ugly and beautiful at the same time. The characters are flawed but believable. Excellent read.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very different setting for a novel - Chernobyl and surrounding villages - as well as Kiev and London. The audio book’s narration was very good, providing atmosphere and capturing the different characters.
I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Leah Wrightsob · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Not a bad book by any means but had very little to do with Chernobyl (which was what I was looking for) and while the writing wasn't bad, the characters were bland and it read like someone's fantasy.

[michelle Simons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally stunning. With a back drop set over different time periods and with dark secrets rising to the surface. This is a deeply dark thriller which in my view is a must read.

[Alan Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very compelling, set in a modern day disaster. Worth a read

[Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exclusion Zone is J.M. Hewitt’s debut crime novel, the first of the Private Detective Alex Harvey series and OMFG what a debut it is! I absolutely devoured this book in a matter of hours and that is saying something, considering I work full-time!

The setting of this book spans between the UK, Kiev, and Pripyat, Chernobyl in the main. Seamlessy sewn within the pages are a number of themes, and those which stood out to me the most included: hope; the explosion in Chernobyl and the effects that had mentally on those who lived there at the time; abandonment; corruption; secrets of the past & present; justice and love in a variety of forms – some twisted, some sweet, some unrequited.

The EEEEEK’s and OMFG’s started early on in this book for me….and actually, if I am completely honest, I am not sure when they stopped! The author had me hooked from the start and I was gutted when it ended as I just wanted MORE! MORE! MORE! Now THAT is how you write crime fiction!

There was a strong but deliciously twisted plot-line that kept me enthralled throughout and this …hmmmm….what I guess I would describe as a strange air of mystery hung over each chapter, which I found almost haunting. Ooooooh it was so good! I just did not know what to expect!

But the characters….*WOW*….. I adored, abhorred and at times I was allured by the multi-faceted individuals who adorned these pages. Each one of those who played a part in the unfolding of this story had something unique to them which kept me interested. Characters are a make or break for me in novels — and let me tell you….I-was-not-broken! I won’t go into each and every one in depth, but I do need to point out the five which have been burned into my mind and perhaps the other two or three….ok..ok…there were oh so many! I will leave it at five….

The first two, we meet at the start: Elian Gould and Alex Harvey. For someone so young, Elian has an almost old soul but magnificent will and determination that has the reader desperately urging her on. Then Alex- at first I thought he might be a bit of a pompous arse if I am honest – but *shakes head slowly side-to-side* I was oh-so-wrong. He has a fiery personality and a kind heart that sees him wanting justice for those who were wronged.

The next two that I cannot get out of my head are “The Boy” – he has a name, but you find that out later on — this guy…WTAF?! Talk about a dysfunctional family background! And for me, the nature vs nurture debate in criminology immediately popped into my head. WAIT until you come across him….Twisted is a compliment! Afia – she is a little bit messed in the head but there is a vulnerability about her – Despite her flaws, I really was drawn to her. And finally, Sissy, Sol and Klim – they are like a threesome gone wrong – intertwined stories where sadness oozes from their pores….and yeah…I know that was seven….what can I say….

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exclusion Zone is a thriller that keeps you glued to your favorite reading spot. I recommend not starting this book until you can devote all your time to reading it from start to finish. Every character has a some sort of secret that reveals itself as the story progresses. There are relationships we are left wondering the status of at the completion of the book, both romantic and familial. Perhaps J.M Hewitt will divulge more on those with P.I Alex Harvey #2?
I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway (Thank You!)

[Jane James · Rating 5 out of 5]

The setting of Exclusion Zone leant a real authenticity to the novel and left me with the impression that should I find myself alone in Pripyat, Chernobyl, I would be able to find my way around in the forgotten red forest; so familiar it has become. This was a well-constructed story that can easily be read in one sitting (if time allows). I liked the way the story was told from different perspectives and the author did not allow me to become confused by this. The characters within the nuclear fall out zone were well-drawn - some likeable - others not so; but together they played an intriguing cast. In particular, I enjoyed the rather gruesome nature of 'The Boy' who we don't meet until several chapters in. All in all, I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding the Bello sisters and wanted to find out what happened to them. A great read and innovative setting. I look forward to reading more of the author's books and wonder where she will take me next on my travels.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cleverly written book that i was very excited to read and it is a very thrilling book, fans of the teacher will enjoy this

[Carolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Prompted to read this after watching the brilliant Chernobyl tv series.

A bit ho hum